Stories about clocks, time, folklore, the whys and hows of time keeping and restoration.

Dorrin K Mace, Horologost

The Clock Man in a pensive moment

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Dating your Regula Cuckoo Clock Movement

Many times customers will want to know how I can tell if a movement in a clock has been replaced. Aside from mismatched holes and differences in arbors, one can tell the age of the movement and case and if they do not agree it is a married piece (this used to be called a bastard piece, I believe it must might have offended some so the name was changed to a married piece) On a cuckoo clock that has a Regula movement dating the movement is usually easy. Once the date is established you can determine if the case style matches the date of the movement manufacture. Once these criteria are established, it can be determined if the clock is genuine or married.

Manufacturing Codes For “Regula” cuckoo clock movements
The code is a single alphabetical letter stamped on the back movement
plate. A=1970 or 1990; B=1971 or 1991, etc. The cycle repeats every 20
years. There is NO G, I, O, Q, Y or Z

34 comments:

Regula makes the movements only and is a TradeMark name."Regula" is the TM of J. Burger Söhne in Schonach, a casting-company, which made a great namber of Cuckoo-movements for the BF-cuckoos in 19.th century. Ca. 1880 Burger made also stamped movements.

The TM "Regula" was first in use after WW2, but was not registered for the first several years. Burger Söhne finally registered this TM in 1966.

Burger Söhne was later split into two different companies. One of these is named "SBS-Feintechnik" and is still a manufacturer of clock movements. One of the very last movement makers in Germany.

20 is the model number signifying it is a one day or 30 hour movement. GM or GM Amgen simply means patent pending or patent applied for. If you can provide a photo of your clock we can usually determine the approximate date of manufacture from the characteristics such as carving style and finish color. As the Regula name was not trade marked until 1966 we can assume your clock is made between 1946 and 1966. I hope this helps.

Hello, I have a Regula movement cuckoo clock, looking at the movement at the top left is stamped "Synt-Oil" under that is Clock 859. Down a little lower on both sides are the letters "GM". Under the "GM" to the left are the numbers "164900 1674539", under the "GM" on the right side are the numbers "1704075 1705294" to the center left, middle of the movement are "34F". At the bottom of the movement to the left is "Made in Germany" anf to the right bottom "No Jewels" There are no markings on the clock itself, the manual has a German Gothic style H at the top and is written in several languages. The numbers on the box are 845-15, and printed by hand "8 Day Squirrel" Any idea what the clock is worth or who made it?? Thanks, Steve

I have a Regula cuckoo clock left to me by my mother. It is 29 '' tall not counting weights, 22 '' wide it has 3 birds and 2 baby birds in nest, has 12 leaves. on both sides are the letters "GM". Under the "GM" to the left are the numbers "164900 1674539", under the "GM" on the right side are the numbers "1704075 1705294" to the center left, middle of the movement are 34 /1/79. At the bottom of the movement to the left is "Made in Germany. Any idea what the clock is worth or who made it? Thanks Mac.

I have a Regula cuckoo clock left to me by my mother. It is 29 '' tall not counting weights, 22 '' wide it has 3 birds and 2 baby birds in nest, has 12 leaves. on both sides are the letters "GM". Under the "GM" to the left are the numbers "164900 1674539", under the "GM" on the right side are the numbers "1704075 1705294" to the center left, middle of the movement are 34 /1/79. At the bottom of the movement to the left is "Made in Germany. Any idea what the clock is worth or who made it? Can you tell me how to go about attaching a photo? Thanks Mac

Hi clockman :) the regula movement in my august schwer cucko clock has GM: 1884288 1892176 on the back however beneath it does not have any letter printed indicating the year instead it has 25-77 could you please help me on what that means and possibly when it was made? thanks

Hi, I have a Regula Cuckoo Clock with the following numbers:N71-72048PL40Oil clock 859

3 weights @ 1750 each

At first all was well then it started skipping the 15 & 45 minute cuckoo then the 30 minute stopped so now it only does the hour. Also it used to cuckoo first then play music now they both happen at the same time. HELP!

Something continues to puzzle me: some Regulas were made by Bachmaier und Klemmer. How do these fit into the letter-dating scheme? they seem to be identified as "34/1/79" (it is a 34 movement) and bears the same patent numbers as those on Nick Shultz, just above,. making it post-1955. I notice his is labelled "A. Schneider Sohne"; yet another manufacturer?

Thank you for contacting me. Regula is not a maker per se but a trademark of Jos. Burger KG, Schonach, the major German cuckoo clock movement producer. As a manufacturer, Burger KG does a lot of private label or "badge engineering" work. Much like Howard Miller puts their name on clocks, but the movement is manufactured by another concern. A Schneider Sohne (now referred to a Anton Schneider) is actually considered the oldest cuckoo clock manufacturer having started in 1848. Schneider now uses the movements marked Regula in their clocks as well and only really makes the case components. Dating non standard movements is not as hard as one might think, you need to observe the manufacturing processes that were utilized, comparing these to known base lines for dates. Additionally one needs to decipher the alpha/numeric codes stamped on the movement. Care must be taken to observe the movement in the case; Movements are replaced and switched out quite often. Unless we are talking a museum quality or exceptionally rare piece, the changing of a modern movement does little to the value of the clock. I hope this helps. Let me know if you need any additional information.

Congratulations on your brilliant lecture that taught us .And sorry some translation errors because it was translated by google translator from Portuguese to English.I am Brazilian and I am starting a collection of these wonderful cuckoo clocks . Currently I have 20 antique clocks . I am an enthusiast in the world of cuckoo clocks and researching a lot about them on the internet .I have a 24 regulates clock engraved with the name REGULATE identical to this photo : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Regula-type-24-fully-reconditioned-8-day-cuckoo-clock-movement-/271296356770?nma=true&si=6bQawDVXNOwAUy50%252FzbvmGF1uLY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l255724 is recorded in the center and on the right GM Beneath the numbers 1704075 1705294 1649000 1674539 .The Lord would provide the date the year of manufacture and the value of this watch .In recent research on the internet got information that this watch was manufactured in 1950 by no later than close of 1960. But from what the Lord told us , this brand has been registered and stamped Regulation from 1966 . So what would be the most likely date of manufacture of this watch .Thank you.Hugs .

We understand that Regula movements are supplied to black forest industries only and not to other countries even if reasonable quantity of Regula movements are ordered. Under the circumstances which is the reliable wholesale suppliers of Regula movements at reasonable price to whom we can place confirm orders? Kindly reply by e-mail info@othocrystal.cpm and oblige.Thanks.

HiI have just purchased a Regula cuckoo clock and I'm trying to find out a bit about it.I understand that it is a Black Forest clock, it has a large owl on the top, a cuckoo on the pendulum and two cuckoos (one either side of the clock) which move when the clock strikes half past and on the hour. These two birds are facing a nest with two cuckoos in it.It has a lots of numbers on the movement back plate but they don't seem to make any sense with what other people have written on this site.Any ideas on info or approximate value for this clock would be greatly appreciated.Many thanksSteve

Hello, I purchased a cuckoo clock at an auction that needs a pendulum. The movement is a Regula 25 made in West Germany for E. Schmeckenbecher stamped G.M. 1884288, 1892176. It does not have a date code stamped on it or the drop length for the pendulum. Would the 19.5cm pendulum be the correct length or do I need a longer pendulum? What about the weight of the pendulum? Thank you in advance!

Can I change my Regula 25 1 day movement to a Regula 34 8 day movement by just getting the heavier weights and pendulum (and Regula 34 movement as well)? Will it all fit/work in my existing clock mount? Is there anything else I need to do or is this just not a good idea? JDL

JDL~ Changing the weights and the pendulum will NOT make your 1 day movement an 8 day movement. The escapement and going train on an 8 day movement is engineered different than a 1 day movement. A Regula 34 8 day movement can often be exchanged for a 25 1 day movement with few problems. My shop does indeed complete work like this. If interested, please email me for additional details.

If the Regula name was not used until after WWII, then the clock would also be stamped, "Made in West Germany", at least until 1991. I have come across many Regula movements that are obviously older than 1940 and are marked Regula and "Made in Germany". Can you explain this if the Regula stamp was not used until after WWII? As an example, I am presently staring at a Cuckoo Clock stamped Regula. It is an early count wheel movement also stamped "Made in Germany," as well as Pat. 812538 and UNFX BAD DURRHEIM.

Hi The Clock Man. I have a old cuckoo clock that the only information on the movement is "Div Pat u.G.M.angem." It is a hunters clock with the quail/squirrel/etc.,. I know that these markings has to do with the Patent Pending but when did they start this requirement? I know that at a certain date after WWII I believe it had to say "Made in Germany". Please contact me at markmunnerlyn@yahoo.com

Hi, I have a clock circa 1970's with a regula 35 movement. I was going to replace the movement as the train wheels need replacing and the chains are stretched. Do you believe this would devalue the clock?And am I better off repairing the movement?Regards

I have a Regula one day cuckoo clock made by E. Schmeckenbecher, whose pendulum keeps stopping. Everything seems to be in order, but the only way to get the pendulum to keep operating is to add weight. Is this a normal problem? The current weights are 266 grams (9.4 ounces). If I buy heavier weights, should I buy one, or should I buy two, so they match?

I have acquired a cuckoo clock and know nothing about it and was wondering if you can give me some information like the date and manufacturer. The clock seems to be working properly and keeping time correctly. I have tried to put some pictures on this post but it won't let me.